Hot top for ingot molds



Dec. 27, 1932. w, H ws 1,892,464

HOT TOP FOR INGOT MOLDS Filed Jan. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN EYDec. 27, 1932. w. H. HAWS HOT TOP FOR INGOT MOLDS Filed Jan. 21, 1931 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATESWILLIAM H.

WILLIAM W. HOFFMAN, 0F JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 7 HOT TOP FOR INGOT MOLDSApplication filed January 21, 1931. Serial No. 510,254.

My invention relates to hot tops for ingot molds and it consists in theconstructions, arrangements and combinations herein described andclaimed.

It is an object of my invention to provide a hot top of sectional formhaving all the advantages of a one-piece top, yet obviating thenecessity of employing encircling bands for the securement of thesections.

A still further object of the invention resides in the formation of thehot top sections with interlocking joints so constructed and related asto permit expansion thereof dueto heat variations or internal pressures.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sectional hottopembodying detachable means for independently suspending each sectionwithin the ingot mold.

Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will beapparent from the following description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein 2- Figure 1 is a perspective view ofan ingot mold illustrating my hot top in position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view ofone of the corners of the hot top.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the mold and hot top illustrating themeans for suspending the hot top sections.

Figure 4 is a similar view illustrating the positioning of the partsafter extraction of the suspension means.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modified formof hot top.

Figure 6 is a cross section illustrating one form of staple for securingthe sections together.

Figure 7 is a similar view illustrating a further form of the staple.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary interior elevation of abutting sections,disclosing the staple in place.

Figure 9 is a vertical section through two of the sections illustratingthe form of staple employed atthe upper portions of the sections.

In carrying out my invention I make use of any well known form of ingotmold 10 having an opening 11 therein, in which I build up my hot top,generally indicated by the reference character 12'.

The hot top 12 is composed of a plurality of intermediate sections 13formed from refractory material each of which includes a key member 14disposed along one vertical edge thereof and a recess 15 formed in theopposlte vertical edge. The sections 13 are arranged on end, the keymember 1 1 engag- 211g in the recess 15 of the next adjacentsec- 1OI1.

Corner sections 16 also formed of refractory material are provided andhave key members 14 and recesses 15 adapted for interlocking engagementwith the abutting sectlons 13.

Each sec'tion'18 has a pair of apertures 17 disposed adjacent the loweredge thereof for reception of pins 18. The outer ends of the pins arepreferably bent to form hook portions 19. The corner sections16 alsohave a pair of apertures 17 but the apertures are disposed in angularrelation to one another, for engagement of the pins 18, as clearly shownin Figure 2. The apertures 17 and 17 are positioned a like distance fromthe lower edge, of the sections 13 and 16, sothat when the sections areassembled a smooth upper surface will be presented.

Attention is now invited to Figure 2 of the drawings, wherein it will beseen that the key members 14 and 14: of the sections 13 and the cornersection 16 do not fit tightly in the reces'ses 15 and 15, but aclearance is provided therebetween as well as between the vertical edgesof the various sections, as illustrated in Figures 3 and at. Thisclearance permits for lateral expansion of thesections due to internalpressure as well as permitting expansion of the sections due to heatvariations, which action is considerable, at the time of filling themold with moiten metal.

HAWS, OF JOHNSTOWN; PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO In the use ofmy hot top, the ingot mold ing a plurality of intermediate sections 13,each section receiving pins 18 for support thereof. When a suificientnumber of sections 13 has thus been secured, another corner section 16is interlocked with the last section 13 and supported by pins aspreviously described, thus completing one side of the hot top. Theremaining sides are similarly erected and supported. It should be notedthat the sections 13 and 16 are spaced slightly from the sides of theingot mold, to permit lateral movement.

WVith the hot top built up and supported within the upper end of theingotmold, the molten metal is poured into the mold. The intense heat ofthe molten metal and internal pressures set up by the metal will causethe sections 13 and 16 to expand laterally, this action being permittedby the loose fit between the sections 13 and 16 and the side walls ofthe ingot mold.

After the metal has been poured into the mold, the pins 18. areextracted by insertion of a suitable tool in the hook portion 19,allowing the hot top sections to lower into the ingot mold 10 withshrinkage of the metal which occurs during cooling thereof. Loweringmovement of the sections 13 and 16 into the mold will prevent formationof air bubbles or similar deformations in the ingot. lVhen the sections13 and 16 have served their purpose they are broken or otherwise removedfrom the ingot mold.

In Figures 5 to 9, I have illustrated a modified form refractorysections and securing means therefor. In this instance, the cornersections 20 each have a vertical groove 21 formed in one edge thereofand a rib 22 formed in the other edge thereof, while the intermediatesections 23 have similarly shaped grooves and ribs 2 and 25,respectively. The ribs 22' of the corner sections are shaped for loosefitting engagement with in the grooves 24 of the abutting intermediatesections 23, and the ribs 25 of the intermediate sections are similarlyshaped for engagement in the grooves 21 of the corner sections. Theintermediate sections are similarly shaped for engagement in the grooves21 of the corner sections. The intermediate sections are similarly builtup.

Each of the corner sections 20 and intermediate sections 23 havetransverse apertures 26 formed slightly inward of the vertical edges ofthe blocks, and horizontal grooves 27 extend from the apertures 26 tothe edges of the block. The grooves 27 preferably have considerabledepth, in order to accommodate of considerable depth to accommodate thestaples, and also, after insertion of the staples, these grooves maybeclosedby insertion of refractory material. Thus, the surface of the hottop will be smooth and uninterrupted, avoiding deformation of the ingotwhen cast therein.

The upper surfaces of thecorner and intermediate sections are providedwith vertically extending apertures 30 arranged so that when the blocksare set up in edge to edge relation, the apertures will be in parallelalignment. Staples 31 are inserted in the apertures 30 and spanrespective abutting sections, and tend to hold the sections in propervertical adjustment, although it should be noted that the staples do notbind the sections tightly together there being a slight space betweenthe sections, permitting eX- pansion thereof when molten metal is pouredinto the hot top.

In order to retain the sections 20 and 23 in elevated position, pins 18'similar to that first described, are provided, although the number ofpins required to support the sections is considerably reduced.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a hot topfor ingot molds which may be readily produced by brick making plants,and one which may be quickly and readily assembled for use.

Vvhile I have shown and described a preferred construction, it will beunderstood that various modifications thereof may be made within thescope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is 1. A hot top for ingot molds comprising a series ofrefractory sections arranged in edge to edge relation, each of saidsections having transverse apertures formed adjacent the vertical edgesthereof and positioned in the same horizontal plane, and fastening meansextended through registered apertures for loosely interconnecting saidsections.

2. A hot top for ingot molds comprising a series of intermediatesections and cornersections, said intermediate and corner sectionshaving tongues and grooves for loose interfitting engagement, and saidintermediate and corner sectionsfurther having transverse apertures andhorizontal grooves formed adjacent the vertical edges of said sections,and staple means projected through said apertures and bent to lie withinsaid grooves for loosely interconnecting said sections.

3. A hot top for ingot molds comprising a series of refractory sections,each of said sections having a groove and tongue for loose interfittingengagement, each of said sections further having a transverse apertureformed adjacent the vertical edges thereof, a horizontal groove formedupon each side of each section, said grooves extending from saidaperture to respective edges of each refractory section, and a stapleengaged through said apertures and bent to lie within said horizontalgrooves for retaining said sections in edge to edge engagement,

4. A hot top for ingot molds comprising a series of refractory sections,each of said sections having a groove and tongue for loose interfittingengagement, each of said sections further having a transverse apertureformed adjacent the vertical edges thereof, a horizontal groove formedupon each side of each section, said grooves extending from saidaperture to respective edges of each refractory section, and a stapleengaged through said apertures and bent to lie Within said horizontalgrooves, said staple having its ends twisted for securement of saidsections.

5. A hot top for ingot molds comprising a series of refractory sectionsarranged in edge to edge relation, each of said sections having a pairof vertically extending apertures formed in the upper surface thereof, astaple member positioned Within apertures of abutting sections andspanning respective sections, and other staple means disposed throughsaid sections intermediate their height, said last named staples havingtheir ends twisted for securement of said sections.

WILLIAM H. HAWS.

